Custom Bikes Of The Week: 27 May, 2018

A subtle but strikingly effective makeover for the Indian Scout Bobber, an astounding Honda CB900F restomod from Canada, a drag bike with Multistrada power, and a peek at BMW’s latest concept, revealed at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. And all guaranteed to be free of pipewrap and Firestones.

Honda CB900F restomod by Darren Begg When it comes to restomods, few can hold lit wax to Ottawa’s Darren Begg. His attention to detail and excellence of execution is truly second to none. And he’s always looking to improve, too. Which is why this CB985F Evolution, a tribute to the first custom he ever created, is so damned sweet.

If you want to skip the reading and see one thing that sums up Darren’s expertise, focus your peepers on that front fender mount. I mean, come on! Not convinced? Could you spot that the CB900F frame was tweaked a touch out back to make room for a Gixxer 600 swingarm? Or how about the fact that Darren has shaved some 85 pounds from the CB’s original tally? And that those weight savings aren’t just lump-sum, but have been proportioned to hit 51% front, 49% rear?

And then there’s the motor. A Wiseco 985 big bore kit has been installed, the head has been ported, and it runs degreed cams spun by racing chains. Race-spec Yoshimura TMR-MJN (Downdraft/Multiple Jet Nozzle) carbs feed this beast, and a 4-into-2-into-1 exhaust finishes things off. Braking and suspension all top-notch stuff as well, and the paintwork is just that—all paint. There wasn’t a single decal or stretch of vinyl applied here. [More]

Indian Scout Bobber by Rogue Motorcycles When it was launched last year, the Indian Scout Bobber was welcomed as a styling homerun. But it wasn’t a large departure from the standard Scout that it shares showroom floors with. Most of the cosmetic changes could be easily achieved with an accessories catalog and a set of spanners.

If you’d like a little more substance with your style, check out Aussie workshop Rogue Motorcycles’ version of a bobbed Scout. After putting just 92 kilometers on the odometer, owner Josh Reed enlisted Billy Kuyken at Rogue to help make the bike his own. It started by stripping the paint clean off of the tank and laying down a healthy layer of clear coat. (Josh dug the shape Indian had chosen but wanted something a little rawer.)

From there the risers went under the grinder and lost about 90% of their metal. The results deliver a more traditional set up, with the clocks moved forward and integrated into the top clamp. Those risers now hold drag bars and feature billet levers and Motogadget m.blaze blinkers.

Most of the major changes happened in the rear, where the Scout’s beefy fender and mounting bracket were axed in favor of the custom style bobber unit Billy had created. The Scout’s forward controls were then tinkered with so they could be mounted mid-ship while permitting the new exhaust to keep Josh’s right ankle warm on a chilly Sunday morning ride. Much like Indian’s Bobber, the changes here are subtle but impactful and Josh clearly chose the right seat for his. [More]

BMW R1100GS Megamoto tribute The BMW HP2 Megamoto has always held a high place on my lust list. Essentially a laser-focused Boxer taken to the nth degree for performance, it was designed as a monstrous motard response to Ducati and KTM. But it was never really a looker. Toro Moto’s Ultramoto, on the other hand, is much more palatable take on a big SuMo.

Based on a 1994 R1100GS, builder Ricardo Micheli wanted to pay homage to the Megamoto but with a healthy sprinkling of retro. The new subframe delivers a more stilted stance and also shifts the riding position forward a touch, to shift weight and help muscle this beast around.

The tank is a custom job that’s had a Motogadget touchscreen unit frenched in place, and just ahead is a new number plate and a very 90s rectangular headlight. Under the bike’s beefy ‘beak’ are even beefier twin 320mm discs.

The suspension has been reworked by Wilbers, and the oil/airhead motor has been rejigged too. A set of high-lift cams has been installed, as well as high compression pistons, and the Ultramoto barks through a completely handmade custom exhaust. The ECU now boasts three selectable riding modes and the final drive has been shortened to celebrate #wheeliewednesday everyday of the week. [More]

Ducati Multistrada-powered drag racer The Sultans of Sprint races have delivered some exquisite steeds, all prepped to tear ass for the 200m run. And this build, from Belgium’s KD Motorcycles may be one of the prettiest to date. Powered by the L-Twin from a Ducati 1000DS, Il Veloce definitely has the grunt to compete. But the stunning paint by Luigi Morgese means I’d be happy to stare at it sitting still for hours.

The custom hardtail frame has been stretched to help maximize traction but even with the hunched drag-racer’s stance, she’s a beauty to behold. Near everything fabricated or installed has been done with the precision and detail that typically takes home best in show awards, not race wins.

The saddle hugs the custom frame’s tubing expertly with an extra touch of plush to keep the rider from flying off and the vintage touches at the clip-ons and controls are a delight.

The engine has received its fair share of attention too. BG-Garage plied some of their race tricks to exert some extra oomph from the Duc. Those monstrous velocity stacks flanking the tiny, sculpted tank are their work, as is that incredibly well sorted exhaust. [More]

BMW Concept 9cento BMW has a solid history at the swanky Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este show. Last year, we saw the cool Concept Link scooter. In 2016, we had the incredible R5 Hommage. And the year before that, the Concept 101—the design study that led to the K1600B bagger.

This year, BMW pulled the wraps off the Concept 9cento (pronounced nove cento) sports touring bike. It’s a glimpse into BMW’s styling future, a slim and sharp-edged all-rounder that amplifies some of the visual cues already seen on BMW’s dual sports.

No specs are given, but motive power almost certainly comes from BMW’s new 800cc two-banger. Aside from the hunched-forward design, the aspect that caught our eyes is the back end, because it’s something that could be adapted for custom builds.

On the Concept 9cento, clip-on cases offer storage space and extend the seating area for a passenger. In BMW’s case, an electromagnet secures the luggage/seat extension to the back end of the frame, but we reckon a couple of sturdy bolts would do the trick just as well.

A lack of tandem seating or luggage capability is a common hurdle for many custom fans. And simply extending a flat seat doesn’t suit the lines of most one-off builds. Maybe BMW has hit on a solution here. [More]